A charity is warning generous donators to be aware of rogue collectors over the festive season.

The Air Ambulance Service has warned that crucial funds are being lost as a result of companies falsely trading under their name.

The charity revealed that hoaxers had been sending out collection leaflets across the nation to ask people to donate to the “Air Ambulance Service”.

The hoax leaflets ask people to donate unwanted items such as clothing. However, there is no registered charity number in the information.

Genuine TAAS collection bags state which charity the collections are going to and also include the charity registration number.

Andy Williamson, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Christmas donations of money and clothing are crucial to our service and yet we now have to worry that criminals are distributing bogus bags that try to fool people into thinking they are giving to us when they are not.

“As a charity, we are extremely concerned that this will affect our legitimate collections. We would encourage everyone to please check the bags and make sure they support a true air ambulance Charity.

“Criminal activities like this put people off from donating which, particularly at Christmas time, can be devastating for a small charity like ours.”

TAAS receives no government funding, relying entirely on public support to keep its helicopters flying and its crew saving lives on a regular basis.

The charity operates every day of the year, including Christmas Day, and needs to raise over £3 million to keep each of its services running.

For further information on the hoax, call 08454 130999, or visit www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/get-involved/recycling/clothing-bags

To make a donation to The Air Ambulance Service log-on to www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk/donate